A protein provides stress relief for cells
Monday, August 19, 2013 - 06:00
in Biology & Nature
German researchers have shown a new mechanism via which cells defend themselves against stress. Dr. Kathrin Thedieck and Birgit Holzwarth from the Institute of Biology III and the Cluster of Excellence BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies of the University of Freiburg have discovered that Astrin, a rarely investigated component of many cells, plays an important part in this process. The scientists demonstrated the stress function of Astrin, which was previously mainly known for its role in cell division, and published their findings in the renowned scientific journal Cell. Astrin maybe an important drug target, as tumor cells avoid cell death due to high Astrin levels.